Tuesday, August 26, 2008

"Take Me Home"

Yet another muse painted when I needed her most...she was lighting my way to a new home. I was a sudden widow and everyone advised me against making the move to Santa Cruz, CA. Family, friends and financial guys, who predicted I'd become a bag lady. I placed a map of the Monterey Bay on top of my blue earth as my target. My Viking muse stands firm holding her lantern. Her braid is made of collaged satin ribbons and her lantern.... a strawberry basket! The piece measures "24 x 28", acrylic. To make a long story short, I did sell everything, I did move alone and not knowing a single person and I did find a home perfect for me. Courage seems to be the gift or maybe the gift of standing firm.

13 comments:

Wonderful story. You have a lot of courage. And I love the way you paint muses to help you on your way. This one is lovely. This and the last one you showed both have lanterns. A wonderful symbol. Glad you found a home you love. Thanks for all you kind words and thoughts. Be well, Suki (people's possibly well-meant theories about what might happen pale next to the actual doing of things, the experience of things in the present moment.)

Hi Mary Ann. I have just read through your blog posts from the beginning. I hope you are well healed from your operation/illness. Also, how lovely that you not only moved to Santa Cruz against all advice, but you found Pablo!!!! So exciting. the only comment I left was on the poem about your mom. That was lovely, well said and meant a lot to me as I have come to a new knowing of my mom in the past year whereas for so many years we were at odds. Take care, Suki

suki, Thank you, I agree the muses are a great symbol. I didn't mention that the home was a "dump" mobilehome and the kitchen started on fire the first week I moved in!! It took awhile but I slowly made repairs and painted every inch of the place...made studio space and never regretted my move for a moment..I sold it and bought this place...less dumpy but I've still had to fix it up too.... I'm done painting walls!haMary Ann

Suki, I'm delighted you took the time to read my blog posts and found the poem to my mom and I'm so very glad you liked and related to the piece...we will always be daughters. The story of Pablo is another BIG story in my life and more than a muse could produce!!ha The book you mentioned is a good one. I was told it was out of print. It has been a helpful addition to my ongoing shelf of helpful books...an easy read and written as her journal about process. I took a weekend class from her at UCSC... she was inspiring. New friend, Mary Ann

What a wonderfully amazing and strong woman to guide you!! I remember your move well, you couldn't be dissuaded and rightfully so. And here you are enjoying lovely coastal weather while we are baking at 108 degrees today. I am continually blown away by your vision and use of things in new ways....a strawberry basket?? Hope you are well....

Mary Ann, somehow I find it encouraging that you bought a trailer for your first venture. I'm assuming it was on private land rather than in a park? Glad you were able to move on too. Here, trailers are available in the 30,000 range in parks, but on private land they are $100,000 at the cheapest. Course I don't want to live up here really. Still, i find this encouraging because I think all I'll be able to afford is a trailer wherever I go.

Suki,I purchased the first trailer for 52,000 cash in a park, no property ownership but the city had rent control and the location was close to beach. I caught the housing price rise and sold it for this one....old, dumpy with good bones in a retirement community where I could own the property (postage stamp size lot) and have a clubhouse with pool. I put in new flooring,carpet,paint and fixtures and am now ready to put in new windows. We have mild weather but it is damp and wet in the winter. I did all this before Pablo entered my life. Michelle Kaufman (featured in Sunset magazine)creates beautiful prefab homes and there is a strong new movement in revitalizing the old mobile homes and parks...worth researching in this expensive market. Mary Ann

dona,While you have the blistering 108 days...you also have the balmy evenings I remember so well. The children playing late in shorts and sitting outside in a bathing suit..easy to forgive the days heat with a midnight swim! We have been at this art of creating for a very long time, thank you for the comment.Mary Ann

Mary Ann, thanks for the details of how you got your home. I thirst for such. Lucky you bought at the right time. I did not. I have had a number of opportunities in the past and did not take them. Now, housing, even trailer prices have risen faster than my available funds. And you sold and moved into a real house in what sounds like a lovely community. You have a lot of practical sense in the midst of your creative self. I checked out the designer, and am fascinated. Must read further as it does not seem for someone on low income. Do you know the Earthships in New Mexico, Taos. I love them, made of tires but maybe now he uses bottles or something. Very green I believe. Good luck with all your work you are putting into the house. I bet it is magical.